Newcastle United's Italian midfielder #08 Sandro Tonali holds his foot after being fouled during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)placeholder image
Newcastle United's Italian midfielder #08 Sandro Tonali holds his foot after being fouled during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) | AFP via Getty Images
Sandro Tonali returned to Newcastle United’s starting XI for their Carabao Cup fourth round win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Fabian Schar put the Magpies in front in the 24th minute with a towering header from Sandro Tonali’s corner before another header from Nick Woltemade, this time from Joe Willock’s delivery, doubled the lead shortly after the break.
Eddie Howe made eight changes from the starting XI that beat Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday. Coincidentally, it is the Cottagers who United will host in the quarter-finals.
Eddie Howe on making eight changes to his Newcastle United starting XI
Only Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn and Woltemade remained in the starting line-up as Aaron Ramsdale, Emil Krafth, Schar, Tonali, Joe Willock, Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga were given an opportunity to impress.
Howe explained: “I think it's a testament to the squad, a testament to the attitude of the players. I thought everyone played with the right spirit today, the right determination, the will to win was there.
“We didn't have our own way, it was a really hard-fought win. It was mainly very, very positive though. Yeah, really pleased for the squad today.
“We enjoy the competition, we take it seriously, we want to do well but it's the players really and how they take the pitch.
“There's always a slight doubt about how that team will knit together. How cohesive will it be? But from minute one, I thought we looked in a really good place. Athletically, I thought we were excellent today.
“A lot of those players haven't played regularly, so that's a testament to their professionalism, how they look after themselves in between games and they got their rewards.”
Sandro Tonali back to 100% fitness after ‘nasty illness’
Tonali was the pick of the bunch for Newcastle as he recovered from a “nasty illness” to reclaim his place in the starting XI.
The Italian was an unused substitute in last Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Benfica in the Champions League before playing the remaining half-hour against Fulham.
Asked about Tonali’s performance, Howe replied: “Yeah, I thought he was excellent today. He's full of energy, outstanding both in and out of possession, So yeah, very pleased for Sandro.
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“He's had a nasty illness actually and it knocked him a little bit. But he was very honest about initially saying that he couldn't perform for the team, so we left him out.
“Today was the right time to bring him back in and he looked 100% and delighted with his performance.”
Sandro Tonali injury fears played down
There was some concern over Tonali towards the end of the match when he pulled up holding his calf but Howe confirmed it was just cramp.
Howe said: “Yeah, he's fine, just a little bit of cramp. I think that shows when Sandro's super fit but when you miss training for a few days due to his illness, it goes to show how fine-tuned these athletes are. But I think he's no problem.”
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